Mongolian Hakuho claims first Emperor’s Cup

Ozeki Hakuho of Mongolia defeated sekiwake Miyabiyama in a playoff Sunday to win the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament and his first Emperor’s Cup.

Ozeki Hakuho forces sekiwake Miyabiyama out of the ring in a playoff to claim
his first Emperor’s Cup on the final day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament
at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Hakuho, making his debut at sumo’s second-highest rank, got a left-hand grip of Miyabiyama’s belt in the playoff at Ryogoku Kokugikan and used all his might to lift the bulky veteran over the straw ridge after a prolonged standoff.

Grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia pulled out after the second day of the tournament with an injured elbow.

Asashoryu, who won eight of the last nine tournaments, was the odds-on favorite heading into the Summer meet and his withdrawal opened the door for wrestlers like Miyabiyama, Hakuho and Baruto.

Hakuho, who was promoted to the sport’s second highest rank in March, is the fourth-youngest wrestler in modern sumo history to be promoted to ozeki after Takanohana, Taiho and Kitanoumi, who all went on to become yokozuna greats.